Post Service Learning Reflection Paper Guidelines And Evalua ✓ Solved
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Write a service learning reflection paper demonstrating what you have learned about yourself as a person and as a future nurse. The paper should be written in APA format with a title page and be between 3 to 4 pages in length (excluding title page and references). Include a brief summary of what happened during your service experience, your perceptions, impressions, and the important lessons learned. Describe the service activity in detail, including dates, tasks performed, and your feelings about the experience. Identify and explain at least two relevant concepts from the NUR 2100 course, such as Patient-Centered Care and the Art of Nursing Communication/Collaboration/Teamwork, and relate how these concepts connect to your service. Additionally, discuss at least two characteristics from the McAuley School of Nursing Philosophy that exemplify a Mercy and Jesuit graduate and explain how your service experience enhanced your understanding of these characteristics in relation to nursing. Incorporate at least two current references, with proper APA formatting, to support your reflections and analysis.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Service learning provides a vital opportunity for nursing students to apply academic concepts in real-world settings, fostering personal growth and professional development. My recent involvement in a community breakfast program at the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul exemplifies this integration, offering insights into patient care principles, teamwork, and the core values of Mercy and Jesuit spirituality. This reflection examines my experiential learning, connects it to course concepts, and explores the deeper implications for my future nursing practice.
Description of the Service Experience
On October 8th and 22nd, 2017, I volunteered at the Sunday morning breakfast program held at the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul. My tasks included preparing and serving breakfast to homeless individuals, many of whom struggled with addiction and mental health issues. I assisted in cracking eggs, setting out sausages on trays, and assembling baggies with salt, sugar, pepper, forks, spoons, and napkins. We served from 8:00 am to 11:00 am each day, totaling six hours of direct service. Under the guidance of the coordinator, Dawn, I observed how the volunteers helped reformed individuals learn culinary skills and discipline that could aid their reintegration into society. The experience was emotionally challenging, given the extent of homelessness and need in the community. I initially felt uncomfortable due to the large crowd and perceived lax security; however, I recognized the importance of compassion and service in addressing social determinants of health.
Perceptions and Lessons Learned
This service experience profoundly impacted my understanding of community needs and the nurse's role in advocacy and holistic care. I realized that for many individuals, this was possibly their only hot meal of the day—highlighting the intersection between social issues and health outcomes. As a female volunteer, I felt protective and cautious, which underscored the importance of safety protocols for healthcare providers working in underserved settings. Most significantly, I learned the value of empathy, patience, and active listening—all critical elements in patient-centered care.
Application of Course Concepts
Patient-Centered Care
Patient-centered care emphasizes respecting the individual's preferences, needs, and values, ensuring they guide clinical decision-making (Black, 2017). During the service, I observed how respecting each individual’s dignity fostered trust and improved interaction. Although these were community members seeking basic services, the approach aligns with nursing practices that prioritize client autonomy and emotional support, especially in vulnerable populations. Understanding these principles enhances my ability as a future nurse to deliver holistic, respectful care tailored to each patient's unique circumstances.
The Art of Nursing Communication, Collaboration, and Teamwork
Effective communication and teamwork are fundamental to nursing practice. The collaborative environment at the breakfast service involved coordinating tasks with other volunteers and the coordinator, demonstrating how clear communication facilitates efficiency and safety. As noted by Black (2017), collaborative care models improve patient outcomes by fostering interdisciplinary teamwork. Developing these skills during community service prepares me to work effectively within healthcare teams, advocate for patient needs, and foster a supportive care environment.
Characteristics of Mercy and Jesuit Graduates
According to the McAuley School of Nursing Philosophy, Mercy graduates exemplify compassion and service, while Jesuit graduates demonstrate integrity and a commitment to social justice (McAuley School of Nursing, n.d.). My service experience directly relates to these characteristics; serving the homeless exemplifies compassion and a dedication to service, core traits of Mercy graduates. Additionally, witnessing the social suffering and systemic barriers faced by individuals reinforced my commitment to social justice, a key Jesuit principle, encouraging me to advocate for equitable healthcare access as a future nurse.
Implications for Future Nursing Practice
This community engagement has solidified my understanding that holistic, compassionate care extends beyond clinical settings into community contexts. Recognizing social determinants of health and ensuring respectful communication are essential for addressing health disparities. My experience has reinforced values aligned with Catholic nursing traditions, emphasizing dignity, service, and social responsibility, which I plan to integrate into my future practice.
Conclusion
Engaging in service at the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul has reinforced core nursing principles: compassion, teamwork, advocacy, and social justice. It has deepened my understanding of how these values translate into community-based care and strengthened my resolve to become an empathetic, patient-centered nurse. Future nursing efforts must continue to prioritize respecting individual dignity, advocating for vulnerable populations, and fostering collaborative, holistic healthcare delivery.
References
- Black, B. P. (2017). Professional nursing: Concepts and challenges (8th ed.). Elsevier Saunders.
- McAuley School of Nursing. (n.d.). Philosophy and core characteristics. University of Detroit Mercy. https://udmercy.edu
- American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice. ANA.
- Craig, S. B., & McInerney, P. (2016). Developing cultural competence in nursing: An integrative review. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 27(1), 4–11.
- Green, J., & Thorogood, N. (2018). Qualitative methods for Health Research (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
- Reeves, S., Pelone, F., Harrison, R., Goldman, J., & Zwarenstein, M. (2017). Interprofessional collaboration to improve core care services. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (6). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000072.pub3
- Institute of Medicine. (2011). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. National Academies Press.
- Stievano, A., & Sasso, L. (2017). Nursing communication: Strategies in practice. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 7(2), 45–53.
- Jezewski, M. A., & Sotnik, P. (2019). Community-based participatory research: Building equitable relationships in health care. Progress in Community Health Partnerships: Research, Education, and Action, 13(2), 133–139.
- World Health Organization. (2020). Social determinants of health. https://www.who.int/social_determinants/en/